by J.C. Ryle
The conduct of the wise men is a striking example of faith. They believed in Christ when they had never seen Him–but that was not all. They believed in Him when the Scribes and Pharisees were unbelieving–but that again was not all. They believed in Him when they saw Him a little infant on Mary’s knee, and worshiped Him as a king. This was the crowning point of their faith. They saw no miracles to convince them. They heard no teaching to persuade them. They beheld no signs of divinity and greatness to overawe them. They saw nothing but a new-born infant, helpless and weak, and needing a mother’s care like any one of ourselves. And yet when they saw that infant, they believed that they saw the divine Savior of the world. “They fell down and worshiped Him.”
We read of no greater faith than this in the whole volume of the Bible. It is a faith that deserves to be placed side by side with that of the penitent thief. The thief saw one dying the death of a malefactor, and yet prayed to Him, and “called Him Lord.” The wise men saw a new-born babe on the lap of a poor woman, and yet worshiped Him and confessed that He was Christ. Blessed indeed are those that can believe in this fashion!
This is the kind of faith, let us remember, that God delights to honor. We see the proof of that at this very day. Wherever the Bible is read the conduct of these wise men is known, and told as a memorial of them. Let us walk in the steps of their faith. Let us not be ashamed to believe in Jesus and confess Him, though all around us remain careless and unbelieving. Have we not a thousand-fold more evidence than the wise men had, to make us believe that Jesus is the Christ? Beyond doubt we have. Yet where is our faith?
J.C. Ryle, commenting on Mt. 2:1-12 from his Expository Thoughts on Matthew
Comments
Faith is believing without the use of our 5 senses. Imagine the life of those who have not the sense of sight, hearing, seeing, feeling? How do you help yourself in maintaining one’s basic daily needs? Trust & faith! We trust the people & facilities will provide the appropriate care. We put faith in technology & medical devices to work. This trust & faith is often given without any evidence or proof that it’s going to come through! This is exactly what the Wise Men did – they stepped out & without reservations- believed & had faith in what the small child was & the significance his existence would have on our mere existence. The Wise Men stamped “walk by faith & not by sight”
Porcia,
Thank you. Have a blessed new year. Rex